PRIDE Month

The problem explored in this study was the impact of the lack of institutional supports for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) students in schools which can lead to deleterious effects such as substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and depression (Whitaker et al., 2015). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore current institutional or comprehensive school-based policies that best enhance school connectedness, as perceived by the LGBTQIA population. The three themes that emerged from this study were (a) participants request for additional diversity professional development for school staff, (b) additional support staff (i.e. clinical staff), and (c) additional groups and mentorship opportunities. It was most appropriate to use the social categorization framework (Melton & Cunningham, 2014) for this qualitative study because this theory supported the researcher’s ability to examine participants’ perceptions of people and actions and reactions based on those individualized perceptions. The researcher recruited participants using a personal Facebook account and word of mouth and directly interviewed 10 LGBTQIA alumni who graduated from a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) school or a District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) within ten years of the interview date. Future research on school connectedness with representation of all subgroups of the LGBTQIA population, equal span of closeted-gay and openly-gay LGBTQIA students, and a good mix of schools with and without school-based programs could also add key information to understanding this phenomenon.

The problem explored in this study was the impact of bullying on the academic aspirations of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Queer, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer or Questioning) adolescents, from the viewpoint of adults who were bullied during adolescence. Bullying is a widespread social behavior (Smith, Cowie, Olaffson, & Liefooghe, 2002). The purpose of this study was to explore the possible impacts of bullying on the academic aspirations of LGBTQ adolescents. Members of the LGBTQ community are more likely to be bullied than their peers (GLSEN, 2015). For this qualitative, multiple-case study, the researcher utilized interviews to collect data from participants, who are adults aged 23 to 52 who were victims of bullying during adolescence and identify as members of the LGBTQ community. The themes that emerged were negative impacts on academics, lack of a sense of belonging, bullying outside of school including cyberbullying, physical manifestations of bullying, namely PTSD, poor coping mechanisms such as isolation, absenteeism, and lack of support from staff, faculty, and parents. Unfortunately, many bullying stories highlight times when teachers or administrators ignored (Watson & Miller, 2012) or even participated in the bullying.

Research addressing sport culture and sexuality is limited; even more limited is research addressing sport culture, minority ethnic populations, and sexuality. To compete in sport, specifically intercollegiate athletics, while simultaneously identifying as a racial and ethnic minority, is purported to lead to marginalization and instances of discrimination. Current academic literature specifying facets of race, sport, and sexuality is garnered dominantly from the perspective of the Caucasian, Euro-American woman; this study aims to address the intersection of sport and sexuality within the female, African American population. In intercollegiate enrollment, African American women are the highest admitted population. The experiences of this racial group on college campuses have been heavily documented in comparison to those who do not identify as minority (Oseguera, Merson, Harrison, Rankin, 2018); additionally, the experiences of sexual minorities on campus has been heavily documented in comparison to those who identify as heterosexual (Garvey & Rankin, 2015; Garvey, Rankin, Beemyn & Windmeyer, 2017). This qualitative case study details the perceptions of female, African American, homosexual collegiate athlete and their campus interactions and experiences. Through semi-structured interviews, both individual and group, study participants detailed experiences ranging from their personal networks, to campus faculty and staff interaction.

Few studies focused on the subset of individuals within the LGBTQ community who identify as gender non-binary or gender queer, yet for many individuals who identify as non-binary, the binary male/female assignment at the time of birth often has societal significance which is in conflict with their personal identity. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study explored the effects of use or non-use of gender neutral pronouns on non-binary gender identity experience. Using purposive and snowball sampling, seven non-binary individuals who were using non-standard pronouns were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, digitally recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emerging themes. The theoretical framework used in this study was queer theory which challenges the gender dichotomy and heteronormal societal perception of gender. The results showed that participants viewed pronoun use as an extension of their identity and an indication of safety. The main emergent themes were: (a) the effect of acceptance was contextual, (b) they didn’t want to be put in a box, and (c) the acceptance of proper pronoun use provided an indication of safety surrounding that individual. Several subthemes became apparent as well. The participants’ perceptions were based on the importance of proper pronoun use and their experiences surrounding situations wherein proper pronouns were accepted or dismissed. The acceptance was contextual with the relative importance of the specific person to the non-binary individual as well as the environment within which the preferred pronouns were made known. The use of they/them pronouns was shown to provide the language which allowed the non-binary individual to express their authentic self. Acceptance and use of they/them pronouns also provide the non-binary individual with an indication of how safe the given situation or person is for them. This study’s implications addressed the need to expand information and knowledge about the non-binary individuals to provide a safe and accepting environment not only in the work place but also within the medical establishment. Future researchers could include a more diverse sample of this population. Exploring the intersectionality of other factors that influence daily experiences should also be examined to provide a more in depth look at non-binary experiences.

Intimate, personal portraits of both known and long-forgotten champions, heroes, and witnesses to history brought to you from rare archival interviews.

Gender Reveal is a podcast about nonbinary and transgender folks. Join the hosts as they interview notable trans guests, analyze current events, answer advice questions and get a little bit closer to understanding what the heck gender is.

Weekly interviews with the most interesting LGBTQ+ people in the world. Recent guests include Laverne Cox, Pete Buttigieg, Roxane Gay, and Brandi Carlile. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffrey Masters and produced by The Advocate magazine, in partnership with GLAAD.

Sit in on an hour long-conversation between host and standup comic, Cameron Esposito, and some of the brightest luminaries in the LGBTQ+ family. QUEERY explores individual stories of identity, personality and the shifting cultural matrix around gender, sexuality and civil rights.

How might we live better as queer people of faith? Matthias Roberts brings together theologians, psychologists, poets, thinkers, and change makers for conversations around belief and being.

One From the Vaults, a trans history podcast by Morgan M Page. We bring you all the dirt, gossip, and glamour from trans history!

FBI hunts, outlaw drag queens, and not-so-secret societies. Raids, riots, and romance! The true story of American LGBTQ liberation from the beginning to Stonewall.

Interviews with scholars and activist on LGBTQ+ matters.